Turbocharged Terror - Ed Thornton - 1970 Camaro Pro Mod

This 5-second 274+ MPH Pro Mod has some solid blood lines

Story by George Pich in Collaboration with Shane Tecklenburg Photos by Matt Trombley

54 54

november 2020 | RPM Magazine

W

hile we love horsepower in an form here at RPM MAG, it’s n secret that we’re not the Pro Mod Pro Outlaw, Pro Street-heavy mag we onc were.

We closely followed the heyday of smalle Pro Outlaw and Pro Mod orgs, along wit the ADRL v 1.0 phenom, which was followe by about a dozen other start-up organiza tions, but over the last 10 or so years RPM has followed a natural evolution into cove ing a more diverse lineup of strip and stree

ny no d, ce

er th ed aM eret

machines. That evolution, fueled by reader and industry input, led to a wider vision of our role within the industry – to be the magazine that covers fast doorslammers of all flavors from around the world, period. But make no mistake, we still love Pro Mods; they fuel our need for some serious top-level tech, not mention extreme eye candy!

We (RPM) met two key people involved with this story back in the early to mid-2000s, Ed Thornton and Shane Tecklenburg. Back then Ed drove, and Shane tuned, a wicked Pro Street twin turbo ’57 Chevy.

To make a long story short, through a mutual friend, Ian Rae, and a subsequent full feature in RPM MAG, we cultivated a relationship that has stood the test of time. It’s interesting that even though a long distance separates us and the last 15 years or so of life has been busy for us all, we have still managed to stay in touch. We have great respect for these folks and everything they do in and for the sport of drag racing and fast cars. So follow along as we check out the D Bar D Racing 1970 Pro Mod Camaro and catch up with some old friends. www.rpmmag.com

|

november 2020

55

THE TEAM The team includes Owner Derrol Hubbard, Driver Ed Thornton, Crew Chief Doug Stewart, Car Chief Tom Esbri and Tuner Shane Tecklenburg along with a supporting cast of Leith Tecklenburg, Rayce Thornton and team Nutritionist “Chop”. Thornton, Stewart, Tecklenburg and Esbri were teammates and won 4 Championships together in Pro Street in the Pacific Street Car Association in 2003-2005 and again in 2007. They have been friends since their street racing days in the mid-1980s and enjoy each other’s company on and off the racetrack.

THE CAR The D Bar D Racing 70.5 Twin Turbo Camaro has a long and storied career, however, not in the usual sense. This car actually started life in 2004 as a Jerry Bickel built nitrous 1968 Camaro campaigned

by Ricky Smith. From there, the car was purchased in 2006 by cur-

56 56

november 2020 | RPM Magazine

Driver Ed Thorton’s office is designed for the business of going fast and winning races.

www.rpmmag.com

|

november 2020

57

Gone are the half dozen gauges and lights in the cockpit of a racecar. They have been traded in for a single panel display, in this case a MoTeC color driver display that can be seen affixed to the steering column.

Knowledge is power Tuner Shane Tecklenburg has the Camaro wired to gain as much data as possible. Racing today is as much about technology and learning how to use it as it is making big power.

58 58

november 2020 | RPM Magazine

www.rpmmag.com

|

november 2020

59

rent owner Derrol Hubbard and campaigned in 2008 on the West Coast. Later in 2009 the car went back to Jerry Bickel for some upgrades, including the now familiar 70.5 Camaro body and its brilliant blue paint scheme. Again the car competed at some West Coast events in 2010 with the legendary Joe Lepone spinning wrenches and driving before the D Bar D team purchased a Plymouth Duster and began running that car.

The Camaro sat idle, save for a couple of events here and there until one day at the end of 2014 Hubbard called on Shane Tecklenburg, Ed Thornton and Doug Stewart regarding converting the Camaro to its current turbocharged setup. Over the course of the next year a plan was hatched and the team assembled the car with a debut in the 2016 Xtreme Pro Mods West Series.

Pro Mod racing today has evolved leaps and bounds and continues to do so. Along with advances in power technology comes the need for advances in the tuning tech to ensure it gets where

60 60

november 2020 | RPM Magazine

Shock and awe are the first words that come to mind when you first see the twin turbocharged BAE Stage 8 Hemi between the rails of the Camaro.

Note the outward angle and slight tilt up on the turbo mounting.

The sheer size of the intake alone is enough to intimidate most.

www.rpmmag.com

|

november 2020

61

it needs to be, and then there’s the need for tougher parts to handle the power. As in any type of true heads-up racing, if you want to stay in the game, this is a never ending cycle.

Power for the D Bar D Racing Camaro comes via a 521 cubic Inch Brad Anderson Stage 8 Hemi. Boost is supplied by twin 88mm Precision turbochargers with

moserengineering.com

62 62

november 2020 | RPM Magazine

A major achievement for the team is being the only car to run 274 miles per hour using 88mm turbos.

KINSLER NEW

Patent Pending

TOUGH

®

PUMP

Steady Flow at EXTREME RPM

Excellent Durability

Kinsler.com

248 362-1145 www.rpmmag.com

|

november 2020

63

The car rides on Lamb struts with tubular control arms up front and a coilover 4-link setup out back.

Electronics are tuned by “Tuned

By Shane T”

64 64

november 2020 | RPM Magazine

“The ducting from the functional front grille to the Turbocharger inlets is a unique addition to the car,” says Tecklenburg. “Other features that are unique we would rather not mention,” he added.

www.rpmmag.com

|

november 2020

65

Turbosmart wastegates. A Lenco 3-speed CS2 trans works with a QuickDrive Racing torque converter drive unit and M&M Transmission lockup torque converter. A near indestructible 9.5-inch billet rear differential is suspended by a coilover 4-link suspension.

Electronics are tuned by “Tuned By Shane T” and consist of a custom software MoTeC M150 Pro

Mod Vehicle Management System with color driver display, 15-way driver input keypad, Powertrain Control Module and Power Distribution Module.

Inside the car, a Spartan interior is all about safety and winning races.

A well-executed cage surrounds the driver, belts ensure he’s secured for the ride, a parachute lever and fire suppression handle are within reach and a sinChassis Engineering’s Outlaw “TRIPLE” Adjustable Ladder Bars The ultimate ladder bar for heavy, high horsepower race cars. 360 degree housing brackets w/integrated shock mounts. Lightweight Chromoly construction for strength.

Includes all rod ends, hardware and brackets.

3606 Outlaw adjustable ladder bar kit $569.95 pr 3606A Outlaw adjustable ladder bar weld-up kit $544.95 pr

Toll Free Ordering: 800-327-9402 Info & Tech: 561-863-2188

MADE IN THE USA. SINCE 1980

chassisengineering.com 66 66

november 2020 | RPM Magazine

www.rpmmag.com

|

november 2020

67

gle display screen is the hub of communication between driver and car, and of course the tuner after each run. The need for rows of gauges has vanished with today’s technology and the driver can now focus more on the job at hand.

Aside from being a second generation body over the more often used first gen Camaro, what sets the D Bar D Racing Pro Mod Camaro apart from others? “There are many features of this car which are unique,” explained Tecklenburg.

“The ducting from the functional front grille to the Turbocharger inlets is a unique addition along with our custom inlet manifold design, using 4 injectors per cylinder. Oth68 68

november 2020 | RPM Magazine

er features that are unique we would rather not mention.”

THE PERFORMANCE The goals for the first season were simple, become competitive in the series and try to run in the 5’s at 250 mph by year’s end. At the final race of the year the clock finally ticked

off a 5.96 at 251 mph; goals accomplished!

2017 saw the team improve in terms of both performance and consistency, garnering its first win at Sonoma Raceway with aggregate best performances of 5.79 ET and 263 MPH on the weekend. At the final race of the 2017 XPMW Series in conjunction with the California Hot Rod Reunion at Bakersfield, the team took Top Speed of the event honors at 268.65 MPH, over the Top Fuel and Funny Cars assembled for the meet. Unfortunately their weekend was cut short when an intake backfire destroyed the front clip and blew both doors off in the timing lights and caused a fuel leak

The D Bar D Racing Camaro is a 1970 style body. While it resembles its original counterpart it shares very little else with it. These composite extremely aerodynamic bodies have become the norm in higher level competitive Pro Mod drag racing. They are a far cry from the OEM based bodies used in the class’ infancy.

www.rpmmag.com

|

november 2020

69

and ensuing fire which effectively destroyed the car and left Thornton with minor burns and smoke inhalation.

Despite all the bad news of the weekend the light at the end of the tunnel was that the team had solidified the 2017 Championship!

Once again the car was returned to Bickel for a body replacement and any upgrades deemed necessary at the time. With its re-debut in 2018 the team proved they had not lost their foothold during the catastrophic end

70 70

november 2020 | RPM Magazine

to their 2017 season. Despite missing the first race of the season due to the car not being completed, the team rallied and finished in 2nd place in the standings just 5 points behind Champion Jay Diedrich. On top of that epic performance, the team went on to win the Street Car Super Nationals at Las Vegas in convincing style by running a 5.54 et at 274.61 mph in the final round when runner up Rick Hord could not make the call.

2019 saw a rules change on the heels

www.rpmmag.com

|

november 2020

71

Derrol Hubbard’s 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Pro Modified Chassis Type & Mods:

2002 Jerry Bickel. MVM Carbon Fiber Wheelie Bars

Suspension:

McPherson Lamb Strut front, 4 Link rear with Penske coilover shocks.

Body & Paint: Blue Engine:

521 Cubic Inch Brad Anderson Hemi - Stage 8. Bryant crankshaft, GRP connecting rods, JE pistons, Bullet camshaft and Jesel lifters. Daly Oil Pump and integrated pan/scavenge pump.

Stage10 BAE heads with Reid rockers and Manton pushrods. REF Headers

Induction & Fuel:

Accufab throttle bodies - Injector Dynamics ID2600 injectors, Aeromotive fuel pump and regulator, System 1 fuel filter.

Power Adder:

88mm Precision Turbochargers, Turbosmart wastegates and blow off valve.

Electronics:

Tuned By Shane T - Custom Software MoTeC M150 Pro Mod Vehicle Management System featuring C125 Color Driver Display, 15 way driver input keypad, Powertrain Control Module, E888

72 72

november 2020 | RPM Magazine

CAN Expansion Module and PDM15 Power Distribution Module. Motorsport Control Solutions IGN20 Coil Near Plug ignition.

Transmission & Converter:

Lenco 3 Speed CS2 billet transmission. QuickDrive Racing LLC Lockup torque converter drive unit. M&M Transmission lockup torque converter

Rear Differential:

9.5 Inch Billet Tom’s Differential

Driver: Ed Thornton Crew Chief: Doug Stewart Car Chief: Tom Esbri Tuner: Shane Tecklenburg Sponsors:

Lenco, QuickDrive, Lucas Oil, Turbosmart, Precision Turbo, SU Sand Cars, Tuned By Shane T

Vehicle Owner/Driver Info/History:

Owner: Derrol Hubbard Driver: Ed Thornton 2017 XPMW Champion, 2018 SCSN Winner

Best ET & MPH: 5.543 274.61 mph Division/Class Run: Pro Modified Sanctioning Body: Xtreme Pro Mods West

Watch the action!

of the increasing performance of the team and their turbo combination and the rule (aimed only at Hemi Turbo Pro Mods - which the D bar D Team were the only team using that combination) stated that a boost limit of 40 psi would be instituted in 2019. Again the D Bar D Team rallied and worked even harder to attain consistency and find performance in other areas to stay at the leading edge within the rule.

The team made few mistakes during race day and carded runs in the mid 5.7 - 5.8 second range at nearly every event it attended.

Later in the summer the team was invited to race in Denver at the Prestigious World Series of Pro Modified.

They struggled with the altitude and boost limitations and although they made some decent qualifying runs, could not parlay them into success on raceday. Add to that the XPMW Series had held an event in Boise, ID. in conjunction with the Nightfire Nationals which was double points earning, and the points lead the team had built up early had all but evaporated by the final race in October. Despite a runner-up finish, they could not make up the deficit

in points by not attending Boise and had to settle for 3rd place in points.

“Winning SCSN 14 in 2018 was the highlight for us to date with Camaro, along with being the only car to run 274 miles per hour using 88mm turbos,” added Tecklenburg.

With the shortened 2020 season, team D Bar D Racing kept active tuning the car and did make some passes once things got underway, including a number of runs at Tulsa in October, and will cap off their season with the SCSN in Las Vegas.

Be sure to check out their facebook page D Bar D Racing.

RPM

•RPM: 2700-7500 •Overall Height: 7.500” •9.5” Deck Applications •Bosses for Nitrous System •Made In America

www.rpmmag.com

|

november 2020

73

74 74

november 2020 | RPM Magazine